The Bounce is Back

GALLOWAY, N.J. - Stockton University men's basketball coach Scott Bittner blew his whistle Wednesday afternoon to signal the start of practice. The players split into groups of two and three and spread out over four sections of I-Wing gym to work on various drills.

Sophomore guard Rynell Lawrence (Millville/Millville), younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Ryquell Armstead, flicked his wrist and launched three-pointers from the top of the key, along with sophomore guard DJ Campbell (Vineland/Vineland). 

Over in another corner, senior guard Luciano Lubrano (Ocean City/Ocean City) and a teammate took turns tossing the ball against a backboard and leaping for the rebound, their elbows as high as the rim.

The nine players in attendance wore masks during breaks. When they lowered them, they were smiling. 
"We're all so happy just to be out here," Campbell said. "This whole thing could shut down at any moment, so we're just taking advantage of every chance we get to play basketball. We've learned not to take anything for granted."

A few hundred yards away, at the Stockton Athletic Center, Ospreys women's coach Devin Jefferson was conducting a tape session while 11 players sat spaced out on the sideline.

Ten minutes later, the Ospreys worked on their fast break and transition game, with junior point guard Emily Donzanti (Toms River/TR South), sophomore forward Ionyonia Alves (Mays Landing/Oakcrest), sophomore guard Maddie McCracken (Wildwood/Wildwood), sophomore guard Aiya Underwood (Highland Park/Highland Park) and others dashing upcourt after Jefferson tossed basketballs toward the rim.

"We're taking everything day by day, week by week," Underwood said. "If we get a full season, that would be great. But you never know what can happen."

Both teams are scheduled for eight-game regular seasons featuring games every Friday and Saturday for four consecutive weeks. Stockton will be playing New Jersey Athletic Conference foes The College of New Jersey, New Jersey City University, Rutgers-Camden and Rutgers-Newark, respectively.

The action starts Friday with games against TCNJ. The men will be home on Friday, then travel to Ewing on Saturday. The women will open on the road and then be home on Saturday. Spectators will not be permitted in accordance with the current New Jersey Department of Health Guidance for Sport Activities guidelines.

A NJAC tournament is a possibility, but a decision won't be made until later. Stockton was among eight NJAC teams that opted to stage a truncated season. Both Rowan University and Ramapo decided not to participate in winter sports due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"After consulting with (Stockton President Harvey Kesselman) we decided to go forward with the season because of our confidence in what we're doing in terms of testing and following the protocols," said Kevin McHugh, Stockton's executive director of athletics and recreation. "It's for the benefit of the (basketball teams) and the entire campus. We felt it was important to have some semblance of normalcy, even if it's a limited degree."

Both Bittner and Jefferson have been trying to establish a sense of camaraderie amongst their teams while also preparing for the season.

Bittner, who is in his fifth season as head coach after a 10-year stint as Gerry Matthews' assistant, is a strong believer in the importance of sports and/or other activities as a way to help with the physical and mental stress caused by the pandemic.

"Just being able to practice, being able to be around each other, has been huge for the team," Bittner said. "The mental aspect of this virus has not been talked about nearly enough. A lot of people don't have an outlet. Thank goodness we do."

Stockton's women's team seemed especially happy to be on the court again, enjoying the game they love. Rap music blared from a speaker as the Ospreys went through their practice. The intensity level was high, but there was also a plenty of enthusiasm.

"I was a little disappointed when I heard we were only scheduled for eight games because we're used to playing 25 in a season," Jefferson said. "But now I'm excited and I get that energy from (the players). There's a good spirit about them and it's rubbing off on me."